Xeon Gold 6138 vs Xeon W-1390

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Xeon Gold 6138 vs Xeon W-1390 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Xeon Gold 6138 vs Xeon W-1390: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon Gold 6138

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+71.9% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 16 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-1390 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.2 vs 48.4 PassMark/$ ($2,612 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
❌56.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 80W.

Xeon W-1390

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,118 less on MSRP ($494 MSRP vs $2,612 MSRP).
✅Delivers 424.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 48.4 vs 9.2 PassMark/$ ($494 MSRP vs $2,612 MSRP).
✅Draws 80W instead of 125W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (23,902 vs 24,108).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 28 MB).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1390 better than Xeon Gold 6138?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-1390 is ahead with a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6138 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 6138 also has the bigger cache pool with 71.9% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6138 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 71.9% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon W-1390 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-1390 comes in $2,118 cheaper on MSRP at $494 MSRP versus $2,612 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6138 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 424.2% better value on MSRP (48.4 vs 9.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon W-1390 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon Gold 6138 vs Xeon W-1390 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Xeon Gold 6138

The Xeon Gold 6138 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 27.5 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 24,108 points. Launch price was $2,612.

Xeon W-1390

The Xeon W-1390 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 23,902 points. Launch price was $494.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6138 packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Xeon W-1390 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138 versus 5.1 GHz on the Xeon W-1390 — a 31.8% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1390 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6138 uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-1390 uses Rocket Lake-S (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6138 scores 24,108 against the Xeon W-1390's 23,902 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon Gold 6138. L3 cache: 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138 vs 16 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1390.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6138	Xeon W-1390
Cores / Threads	20 / 40+150%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	5.1 GHz+38%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.8 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	27.5 MB+72%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	20 MB+3900%	512 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Rocket Lake-S (2021)
PassMark	24,108	23,902
Geekbench 6 Single	1,261	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	15,439	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6138 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1390 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6138	Xeon W-1390
Socket	LGA3647	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	—
RAM Channels	6	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	48	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6138) / not specified (Xeon W-1390). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6138 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6138	Xeon W-1390
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Server	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6138 was priced at $2612, while the Xeon W-1390 came in at $494. On launch pricing ($2612 vs $494), Xeon W-1390 was $2118 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6138 delivers 9.2 pts/$ vs 48.4 pts/$ for the Xeon W-1390 — making the Xeon W-1390 the 135.9% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6138	Xeon W-1390
MSRP	$2612	$494-81%
Performance per Dollar	9.2	48.4+426%
Release Date	2017	2021

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